Vox Correspondent Seeks New Species in NYC

Vox senior environmental correspondent Benji Jones is undertaking an ambitious project to discover a new species of insect, a feat he is attempting within the urban environment of New York City. Jones has deployed Malaise traps, tent-like structures designed to funnel flying insects into a collection bottle containing ethanol, in locations such as Central Park and Prospect Park. These traps are checked every few weeks for new specimens. Jones, who focuses on biodiversity, described the endeavor as an inversion of his typical work, which often involves documenting endangered species in remote locations. He noted that finding new species in a heavily built-up urban area like New York City highlights the unexplored nature of our planet, even in ecologically disrupted environments. This initiative marks a novel approach for Vox and potentially for newsrooms in general, aiming to uncover new life forms in unexpected places. The project serves as a reminder that even densely populated cities are part of larger ecosystems, and that potential habitats for undiscovered species exist even in urban settings. Jones, a 2027 Nieman Fellow, expressed both excitement and apprehension about the daunting nature of the task. The presence of numerous insects in these urban parks indicates that the potential for discovery remains significant, underscoring how much of the world is still unexplored.